Prerequisites

• Any 4U English (a final grade of at least 70% is required)
• 5 additional 4U/M courses

MDM4U is recommended for the following subjects: Anthropology; Economics; Geography and Environmental Management; Political Science; Psychology; Sexuality, Marriage & Family Studies; Social Development Studies; and Sociology.

MCV4U is also recommended for Economics; however, you may choose to take an introductory Calculus course in first year to acquire additional background.

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Additional Admission Criteria

Admission Information Form. We will send instructions with your acknowledgment of application.

Language Requirements

To be exempt from these requirements, you must have studied full time in an English-language school system for the 4 most recent years preceding the beginning of your studies at the University of Waterloo.

The requirements are separate from, and in addition to, the requirement to present Ontario 4U English (or equivalent), if it is listed as a specific requirement for a program. A 4U English is required for most programs.

If you do not meet the requirements, you will be considered for entry into an English language pathway program.

• The Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE)

You can improve your English before, or while, attending Waterloo.

See Waterloo's English Language Requirements.

Offers of Admission

Basic Requirements for Admission

All conditional offers are contingent on the completion of all high school diploma requirements, including a minimum final admission average of 80%. Some programs may specify other conditions, including higher final admission averages.

Basic requirements: At least six 4U/M courses, including all required courses, as specified for each program. EAE4U will be treated as equivalent to ENG4U.

If your first language is not English, and you have not studied in an English-language school system for the 4 years immediately before beginning your studies at Waterloo, you will be required to meet our English-language requirements.

Failed and Repeated Courses

Find details about Waterloo's policies on failed and repeated courses, and courses other than day school.

Timing of Admission Decisions

Offers of admission are made on a rolling basis between January and May as we receive updated grades from schools. The date you may receive an offer of admission depends on the program you've applied to, your grade average and any special entrance requirements. 

We want to consider all students fairly, so we may wait for updated grades from schools before making many of our admission decisions.

Scholarship and bursary decisions are made in May and are based on final admission averages.

All offers of admission and scholarships will be made by the end of May, and students will have until June 1, 2024, to respond. If you know that Waterloo is the university that you wish to attend, we encourage you to accept your offer as soon as you receive it.

Admission to Alternative Programs

If you are not admitted to the program you applied to, you may be considered for admission to an alternative program, provided you meet the minimum admission requirements and places are available.

If a program is available in both co-op and regular systems of study  and you are not admitted to the co-op version, you will be automatically considered for either the corresponding regular program or another related program, provided places are available. In some programs, limited admission to co-op is also available in second year.

Deferred Admission

High school applicants who are offered admission and who wish to take a year off to work or travel may request a 1-year deferral of admission. You will not be granted a deferral if you study at another postsecondary institution during the year.

More Than 100 Programs to Choose From

The programs listed are ones that you apply directly to. We offer more than 100 programs and majors at Waterloo, some of which you choose at the end of first year.